
Bertie the Brilliant
7/10/2023 | 25m 20sVideo has Closed Captions
Raising money to see a magic show, a boy faces a choice when his grandma loses her job.
A young boy takes on more chores and odd jobs around his neighborhood to raise money for a ticket to a magic show, but when his grandma loses her job, he is faced with a difficult decision.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback

Bertie the Brilliant
7/10/2023 | 25m 20sVideo has Closed Captions
A young boy takes on more chores and odd jobs around his neighborhood to raise money for a ticket to a magic show, but when his grandma loses her job, he is faced with a difficult decision.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch PBS Short Film Festival
PBS Short Film Festival is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- Anything and everything can be conceived.
Nothing is impossible if you believe.
I am Maya the Magnificent, and I invite you and your imagination to enter this magical world of my creation.
Prepare for the unforeseen.
As the queen of illumination, I declare there is magic in the air.
In the hearts of everyone, everywhere.
Ha!
- [Announcer] Prepare to be mystified as the Shangri-La Springs Hotel and Casino proudly presents a one night special event featuring the legendary Maya the Magnificent.
Get your tickets now for the low, low price of 60 buck-a-roos.
- Abu!
What are you doing?
That was Maya the Magnificent, the greatest magician that has ever lived.
And she's going to be here at Shangri-La Springs, I have to see her.
- You want magic?
Well, we'll show you real magic.
And for free, get out.
Watch.
Rosa.
♪ La, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la♪ - Okay, cool.
But I need to go to that show.
- Oh, what no, Bertie.
Hurry, go over there and sit down, right now.
You know you're not supposed to be here.
If Jerry finds out that I'm bringing you to work he'll fire me in a heartbeat.
- Oh Jerry would just love to find you doing something wrong, Linda.
He'd get all tight and start wagging his little finger.
Talking about the pillars of the hospitality industry.
- [Jerry] I hope you're enjoying your stay, folks.
- Oh no, speak of the devil!
- Okay Mr. Magician, it's time to make yourself disappear.
Hurry, hurry.
Go, go.
Oof.
- Oh, hey, Jerry.
- Hi.
- Ladies.
Weren't you supposed to be done with this room 17 minutes ago?
Chop-chop!
- Sorry, Jerry.
We'll move faster.
- What in the world is going on here?
- Oh Jerry, I can explain.
- How many times do I have to tell you?
Shampoo, then conditioner, then body wash.
Attention to details, please.
It is a core pillar of the hospitality industry.
And for god sakes, stop giving away so many mints.
What do you think this is, the Ritz?
- Oh, it won't happen again, I'm sorry.
- It's one per guest.
One guest, one mint.
Two guests, two mints.
Basic math, right?
Not rocket surgery.
Comprende?
- Yes.
We'll get it done.
(giggling) - Bertie, come on then.
(upbeat music) (funky music) ♪ When you are young and naive ♪ ♪ You believe all of your dreams will come true ♪ ♪ Looking at bright shining lights ♪ ♪ Survive as life unfolds and holds you ♪ ♪ Never outgrow the child inside you ♪ ♪ Let them dance, play, laugh, and beguile you ♪ ♪ Believe in magic and it will find you ♪ ♪ Every dream you dream can come true ♪ ♪ Over and under there's magical wonders ♪ ♪ Waiting to be explored ♪ ♪ Anything's possible, sunshine and thunder ♪ ♪ Magic, dragons, and swords ♪ ♪ Never outgrow the child inside you ♪ ♪ Let them dance, play, laugh, and beguile you ♪ ♪ Believe that every dream you dream can come true ♪ ♪ The pudding that you might find ♪ ♪ A magic cosmos deep inside your mind ♪ ♪ Imagination uncaged and wild ♪ ♪ The infinite can come true ♪ ♪ The universe is in you ♪ (singing in Spanish) ♪ Never outgrow the child inside you ♪ ♪ Let them dance, play, laugh, and beguile you ♪ ♪ All your dreams can come true ♪ ♪ There's magic in you♪ - Hey, Bertie!
(speaking in Spanish) (gasping) - Maya!
- Bertie!
You know we can't afford luxuries right now.
- But there isn't going to be another time.
It's one night only.
- Bertie, I said no.
- Oo, what if I sold my legos?
I could probably get like 100 bucks for them.
- Mijo, you probably couldn't get $3 for those.
- Three dollars!
Oo, what if I sell my skateboard?
It's gotta be worth something.
- Okay, I'll tell you what.
If you help out around the house and you pay a little bit more attention to your reading, I can give you a small allowance.
- Really?
Yes, yes, yes!
- Okay, it may not be enough to get you your ticket, so don't get so excited, huh?
But, it'll be a start.
- A start is better than nothing.
- Yes.
- I'll find a way to raise the rest of the money.
Watch, Abu, just watch.
If I put my mind to it, I can do anything.
Anything and everything can be conceived.
Nothing is impossible, if you believe!
- Mijo.
(funky music) - He, he, oh!
Okay.
(funky music) (knocking) Oh, hi.
- Aren't they magnificent?
- Oh, they're beautiful.
- These stitches are amazing.
- Linda, you really have a gift.
You should open up your own shop.
- Ha, ha!
Not an old lady like me.
That ship has sailed a long time ago.
Oh, thank you.
- And this is for you.
- Oh, thank you.
- Thank you.
- Bye-bye.
(upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music) (electric sizzling) (upbeat music continues) - As the king of illumination, I declare there is magic in the air.
In the hearts of everyone, everywhere.
- Okay, mijo, here.
So, how are your savings coming along?
- Abu, I never realized how much $60 is.
That's a lot of money.
(speaking in Spanish) - Keep working hard for what you want.
(speaking in Spanish) - But what if I can't do it?
- Listen to me, chickadee-jo.
The truth is, you may not make it to your goal.
But the lessons you are learning right now about hard work and how to get to that goal, will eventually fill that little piggy bank of yours a thousand times over.
- The show's in three days!
- Maybe reading a book will help you figure something out.
Yeah?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
(upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) - Cold water, three dollars!
Cold water, three dollars!
Cold water, three dollars!
(upbeat music) Aw, yeah!
I did it!
I did it, Abu, I did it!
We're gonna see Maya the Magnificent!
- Oh, Mijito, I knew you would do it.
I knew you would!
- Yeah!
- How much money did you collect?
- $61.42.
- You have enough for a ticket.
- Mm-hm.
- When are we gonna get it?
- Like, maybe, tomorrow.
- Are you proud?
- Yeah.
- Ha, ha, okay, sweetheart.
(rumbling sewing machine) (electrical sizzle) - Aye, ugh!
(speaking in Spanish) (birds chirping) (metallic tapping) (crowd cheering) - Prepare to be surprised.
Now watch the magic unfold before your eyes.
(slamming) - Hey, hey, hey, what in the world is going on around here?
- Jerry, I can explain.
- No, save it.
What do you think I'm running here, a daycare center?
Huh?
You know the rules, Linda.
No kids allowed.
- Come on, Jerry.
Where is she supposed to leave her kid?
- Not my problem.
- But Jerry-- - No, look, I can't have you setting a bad example around here.
(sighing) Pack your things.
You're fired.
(employees murmuring) - Jerry, come, please.
- Let's go.
- Come on.
- Anyone else?
Let's go.
(buzzing) - Abu, I'm sorry.
But you know, it's okay now.
Because now you'll just get a better job.
- It's not that simple, Bertie.
- But Maya says, "Prepare for the unforeseen."
(speaking in Spanish) - Anything and everything can be conceived.
Nothing's impossible if you-- - Bertie!
Enough!
Magic isn't real.
(speaking in Spanish) Shitty things happen.
And there's not a trick in the world that will ever change that.
No, I'm really scared, Rosa.
Who's gonna hire an old lady like me?
I'm gonna start looking.
Yeah.
Okay.
- Morning, Abu.
- Oh, me amour, about yesterday.
- It's okay.
I understand.
- Today's the big day, huh?
- I guess so.
- You know, I have some errands to run and some job interviews, so Rosa's gonna take you to buy your ticket, okay?
- Sounds good, Abu.
(knocking) - Hola!
Ha!
See, I can do magic too.
- Okay, let's go!
- Bye, Linda.
- Aunt Rosa.
- Mm-hm?
- I need your help with something.
- Uh-oh, you're not about to get me fired too, are you?
- Funny.
(phone ringing) - I'm sorry, it's just that my machine broke and I'm having to do everything by hand and it's taking a lot long... Oh.
Yes.
I understand.
Thank you.
Aye, ye, ye.
(speaking in Spanish) - It's for you.
- Bertie, no!
Why did you do this?
- I don't need to meet Maya the Magnificent to be a great magician.
I can just teach myself magic from those library books.
- I know, mijo, but you worked so hard.
- I don't really need to go to a magic show, but you really need that sewing machine.
- Come here.
Oh, mijo.
You know, your mom would have been so proud.
You know?
Well, I have something for you too.
See.
Oo, oo, oo, hoo, hoo!
- What!
Abu, this is amazing!
It's just like Maya's.
- You know what?
I want you to go put it on, hurry.
We don't have much time, go!
(upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) - Ta-da!
How do I look?
- Ha, brilliant!
- Your driver has arrived.
Oh!
Hold up a second.
Am I in the right trailer?
I didn't realize the Maya the Magnificent lived in this trailer park too!
- Rosa, it's me, Bertie.
- It's impossible!
- It's me!
- No, quit pulling my leg.
- No, seriously.
- Get out of town!
- It's me!
- What?
- Come on, come on, come on.
We've gotta go.
Let's go.
(upbeat music) - Wait, where are we going?
- To Maya the Magnificent!
- But you were fired, we can't go back to the casino.
- One of the things I loved best about my job is all the great friends I made.
Rosa, step on it.
We got a show to catch.
Woo!
Maya, here we come!
- Whoa, woo!
- Hurry up, quiet.
(upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) - Hey Jerry, glad I ran into you!
There were a couple discrepancies on my last paycheck.
I was wondering if you had 10, 30 minutes.
- Rosa, go home.
- Ah!
- Lucille!
- Oh, dear, I'm sorry.
- Fire codes!
(upbeat music) (screeching shoes) - Oh, Jerry, watch your step.
- [Announcer] And now, the moment you've all been waiting for.
Please help me welcome to the stage, Maya the Magnificent.
(audience cheering) ♪ La, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la ♪ - Oh my gosh.
♪ La, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la ♪ (crowd cheering) ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ (audience cheering) - As the queen of illumination, I declare there is magic... ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ In the air.
♪ La, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la♪ - In the hearts of everyone, everywhere.
(audience cheering) - Thank you, my dear friends.
It's been an honor and a delight to share my spectacle with you tonight.
Oh, I hope to see you all again for a magical soiree, but until then, I must say... - Wait, wait, wait!
Miss Magnificent.
Miss Magnificent, you can't end yet.
I have a trick I want to show you.
- Well, yes, of course, come on up.
- Really?
- Yes, the stage is all yours.
(audience cheering) And what's your name and where on earth did you get such an amazing costume?
- I'm Bertie, Bertie the Brilliant.
And my Abuela made this for me.
(audience swooning) - All right, Bertie the Brilliant!
Show us what you've got, hm?
(shuffling) - Crap, I'm sorry.
- It's all right.
Anything's possible if you believe.
(crowd murmuring) - Anything's possible if you believe.
(crowd murmuring) (funky music) (crowd cheering) (sporadic clapping) - Well done, little one!
You have a gift.
- You really think so?
- [Maya] I do.
- Thanks, Miss Magnificent.
- Well, it is time we bid adieu.
So, open your minds, don't confine it.
- [Together] For those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
(audience cheering) - Oh, Bertie!
- How about a high five?
- You were so good.
- So you are Bertie the Brilliant, right?
- Yes.
- Amazing job.
And such a cool outfit.
Great attention to details, hm.
So you made this for your grandson?
- Yes, ma'am.
- This might be a bit forward, but the casino Cabaret has an opening for the custom department.
Would you be interested?
It's a full-time gig and the pay is not bad.
- Oh, yes!
- There you are!
Sorry to interrupt, ma'am.
- Hm?
- These two entered illegally.
They snuck in.
Don't worry, I'll take care of them.
(shimmering) - Whoa.
Magic.
I don't know what you're talking about, our tickets are right here, mister.
- Well, that's impossible.
- [Maya] Nothing is impossible if you believe.
(funky music) ♪ Maya ♪ (singing in Spanish) ♪ It's magic, I got a trick for you ♪ ♪ Magic, biddy, ba-itty, boo ♪ ♪ Maya ♪ (speaking in Spanish) ♪ Magic, question everything you know ♪ ♪ Down the rabbit hole you go ♪ ♪ If you believe in magic ♪ (singing in Spanish) ♪ Magic, hocus pocus magic wand ♪ ♪ Cast a spell, sleight of hand ♪ ♪ It's what's up in my magic ♪ ♪ One, two, three ♪ ♪ What do you see ♪ ♪ Do you believe there's magic inside of you ♪ (singing in Spanish) ♪ Do you believe in magic ♪ ♪ It's magic ♪ ♪ I've got a trick for you ♪ ♪ Magic, biddy ba-itty, boo ♪ ♪ Maya ♪ (singing in Spanish) ♪ Ah♪ (light music)
Support for PBS provided by: